Abstract: The invention provides a bcl-2 related protein, Bad, Bad muteins, two-hybrid systems comprising interacting Bad polypeptide sequences, Bad polynucleotides, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell death genes, which are genes required for programmed cell deaths; mutant organisms, in which embryonic programmed cell death occurs to a less than normal extent; proteins encoded by the cell death genes; antibodies which bind the cell death gene products; and agents which alter the ability of cell death genes to cause programmed death of cells. As described herein, Applicants have identified two genes which function in the initiation of apoptosis or programmed cell death. These two genes, referred to respectively as the reaper (rpr) gene and the head involution defective (hid) gene, map to position 75C1,2 on the third chromosome in Drosophila (D.) melanogaster and, as described in detail below, exhibit expression patterns related to the pattern of cell death during Drosophila embryogenesis; mutations in each gene reduce levels of cell deaths or abolish cell death.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing riboflavin efficiently at a low cost, wherein riboflavin is formed and accumulated in a medium by culturing a microorganism carrying a recombinant DNA prepared by inserting into a vector DNA a DNA which is derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Corynebacterium or Brevibacterium and which, upon introduction into a riboflavin-requiring microorganism, confers on the microorganism the ability to complement its riboflavin requirement.

Abstract: Three new and distinct heterodimers in the very late antigen (VLA) protein family are disclosed, namely VLA-3, VLA-4 and VLA-5, as well as monoclonal antibodies therefor. The N-terminal amino acid sequence for each of the VLA .alpha. subunits is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining deubiquitinating enzyme polypeptides. The invention relates as well to polynucleotides encoding deubiquitinating enzyme polypeptides, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant deubiquitinating enzyme polypeptides. By way of example, the invention discloses the cloning and functional expression if at least three different deubiquitinating enzyme polypeptides. The invention includes as well, methods for using the isolated, recombinant enzyme polypeptides in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of interacting with deubiquitinating enzyme polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Chimeric proteins possessing Kunitz-type domain 1 of TFPI-2 and Kunitz-type domain 2 of TFPI are disclosed, as are muteins of TFPI and TFPI-2. Nucleic acid sequences, expression vectors and transformed host cells encoding and capable of producing the disclosed chimeric proteins and muteins are also disclosed. Finally, methods for prevention and treatment of septic shock using the chimeric proteins and muteins are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel serine protein kinase, SRPK1, having a molecular weight of about 92 kD and phosphorylating the SR family of splicing factors in a cell-cycle regulated manner is described. Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences for SRPK1 are provided as well as methods for modulating splicing and alternative splicing of precursor mRNAs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a protein sweetener that has been isolated from Pentadiplandra brazzeana Baillon. The sweetener is thermostable, lysine rich, and has a relative lasting taste. Also disclosed is a recombinant host capable of producing the sweetener in large quantities. Compositions of this sweetener with other sweeteners are also disclosed.

Abstract: The cDNA which encodes heme-regulated eIF-2.alpha. kinase (HRI) has been cloned from a lambda Zap II cDNa of rabbit reticulocytes. The rabbit HRI cDNA is highly homologous to human HRI and hybridizes to the human HRI DNA under moderately stringent conditions. The rabbit HRI cDNA contains 2729 amino acids. In vitro translation of HRI mRNA transcribed from HRI cDNA yields a 90 kDa polypeptide with eIF-2.alpha. kinase activity. Since HRI is a potent inhibitor or protein synthesis, it is anti-proliferative in nature. In addition, the unusually high degree of homology of HRI to three protein kinases involved in the regulation of cell division suggests that HRI plays a direct role in the regulation of cell division.

Abstract: Disclosed is a purified and isolated DNA sequence encoding human cystathionine .beta.-synthase. Also disclosed is a purified and isolated human cystathionine .beta.-synthase encoded by this DNA sequence. Included is a composition of human cystathionine .beta.-synthase in a pharmacologically acceptable carrier for treating a human suffering from homocystinuria. Also provided are methods of screening human patients to detect mutations in the cystathionine .beta.-synthase gene.

Abstract: The invention is directed to A-lineage conotoxin peptides, which are conotoxin peptides that have strong homology in the signal sequence and the 3'-untranslated region of the genes coding for these peptides to the sequences in the .alpha.-conotoxin peptides. The A-lineage conotoxin peptides include the .alpha.-conotoxin peptides, the .alpha.-conotoxin-like peptides and the .kappa.-conotoxin peptides, described further below. The .alpha.-conotoxin-peptides generally share a "core" sequence motif. This core sequence is termed the .alpha.3/5 core and is represented as Cys-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys (SEQ ID NO:1). The .alpha.-conotoxin-like peptides generally share a core sequence termed the .alpha.4/7 core and is represented as Cys-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys (SEQ ID NO:2). The .kappa.-conotoxin peptides generally have a core sequence termed the .kappa.

Abstract: Viral morphogenesis, in particular hepatitis D viral morphogenesis, may be inhibited by effecting inhibition of prenylation of at least one viral protein. The use of inhibitors of prenylation, in particular, inhibitors of the mevalonic synthesis pathway and mimics of the prenylation target CXXX (SEQ ID NO:1) box are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention refers to DNA sequences coding for proteins present in the plant Dianthus caryophyllus, to expression vectors containing said sequences and to hosts transformed by said vectors.

Abstract: Several natural polypeptides (basophil granule proteins, "BGP") derived from the cytoplasmic granules of human basophils, and modified forms thereof, are described. These polypeptides, the DNA which encodes them and antibodies which recognize them, are useful as diagnostics for, and treatments for, pathologies involving inflammatory and IgE-mediated responses, parasitic and helminthic infections, hypersensitivity reactions and certain types of leukocytic leukemias.

Abstract: Novel plectoxins isolated from the Primitive Hunting Spider, Plectreurys tristis are described, and their amino acid sequences are presented. These are toxic to various groups of insects, including Lepidopterans. A particularly potent plectoxin is Plt-VI. The plectoxins may be cloned into a baculovirus vector and hasten its speed of kill.

Abstract: A novel receptor protein tyrosine kinase named ork (orphan receptor tyrosine kinase) is identified and characterized. cDNA encoding the ork protein is inserted into an expression vector for production of the protein via recombinant DNA technology. The ork cDNA, when transfected into Cos-7 cells, encodes a 140 Kd protein with in vitro kinase activity. The ork gene is expressed predominantly in placenta and lung, with lower levels in umbilical vein endothelial cells, brain and kidney.

Abstract: Ribotoxins, such as restrictocin, mitogillin and alpha-sarcin which do not contain a cysteine for linkage to antibodies for immunotoxin production need to be modified for such linkage without compromising biological activity. Protein analogues of such native ribotoxins are provided in which both the analogue and the native ribotoxin can cleave only a single phosphodiester bond of 28S rRNA in a 60S ribosomal subunit and in which the analogue comprises only one cysteine available from covalent linkage to a partner, such as an antibody, which cysteine is not present in the native ribotoxin. Especially preferred analogues are restrictocin Cys 13, Cys 82, Cys 106 and Cys 110 and restrictocin Cys 150-Gly151. Corresponding DNA sequences, vectors, host cells, immunotoxins and pharmaceutical compositions are also claimed.

Abstract: A negative transcription regulatory element (a constitutive suppressor) between residues -250 and -190 of the 5' flanking region of the mouse serglycin gene, a positive (hematopoietic cell enhancer) regulatory element located between residues -118 and -81, an equivalent of the TATA- box and a novel eukaryotic promoter that utilizes such equivalent, vectors containing such elements and hosts transformed therewith, are described. These regulatory elements, vectors and hosts are useful in gene transcription of heterologous genes in eukaryotic cells, and especially in hematopoietic cells. In addition, transcriptional factors that bind to these elements are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides cell lines capable of indefinite growth which are produced by transforming leukocytes isolated from peripheral blood of fish with a oncogene, a method of establishing the cell line, a method of recovering immunologically active substances from the culture of the cell lines. It has been difficult to maintain continuous cultures of fish leukocytes. The present invention provides cell lines capable of indefinite growth and a method of producing immunologically active substances, e.g., immunologically acitive substances, using these cell lines.

Abstract: This invention provides a fusion molecule comprising a DNA sequence encoding a thioredoxin-like protein fused to the DNA sequence encoding a selected heterologous peptide or protein. The peptide or protein may be fused to the amino terminus of the thioredoxin-like molecule, the carboxyl terminus of the thioredoxin-like molecule, or within the thioredoxin-like molecule, for example at the active-site loop of said molecule. Expression of this fusion molecule under the control of a regulatory sequence capable of directing its expression in a desired host cell, produces high levels of stable and soluble fusion protein. The fusion protein, located in the bacterial cytoplasm, may be selectively released from the cell by osmotic shock or freeze/thaw procedures. It may be optionally cleaved to liberate the soluble, correctly folded heterologous protein from the thioredoxin-like portion.